CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptians once considered it the skin of the gods, and lavished it on their ancient pharaohs as they passed to the afterlife.

But today, with its soaring price, gold is putting a strain on the age-old tradition of marriage as couples struggle to afford "shabka", a ritual gift of gold jewellery considered a vital part of weddings across the Arab world.

Beset by high unemployment, rising inflation, and monthly salaries that often fall below $50 a month, many poorer couples are renting the gold rings and bangles they need to wed.

"People cannot stop getting married, so renting jewellery is the best solution for your wallet and the bride's prestige," said Ayman Wahba, 27-year-old teacher.

"Before, the idea of getting married without shabka was almost unthinkable, but with a weak economy and unaffordable gold prices, many parents sacrifice gold for their daughters' happiness."

The expense of shabka -- which always includes a gold ring -- must be borne by the groom, who presents it to his bride-to- be to a chorus of "oohs" and "aahs" from family and friends.

In Egypt, prices for shabka depend on families' financial means. A bride's family may request a shabka from just $600 -- for a wedding band and two bangles -- to $8,000 or more for an entire set of gold jewellery and a diamond ring.

But many in Egypt's lower-income brackets say if men were unable to hire the shabka for about $40 for their wedding night, marriage would be almost impossible.

Egyptians once considered it the skin of the gods, and lavished it on their ancient pharaohs as they passed to the afterlife.

But today, with its soaring price, gold is putting a strain on the age-old tradition of marriage as couples struggle to afford "shabka", a ritual gift of gold jewellery considered a vital part of weddings across the Arab world.

Beset by high unemployment, rising inflation, and monthly salaries that often fall below $50 a month, many poorer couples are renting the gold rings and bangles they need to wed.

"People cannot stop getting married, so renting jewellery is the best solution for your wallet and the bride's prestige," said Ayman Wahba, 27-year-old teacher.

"Before, the idea of getting married without shabka was almost unthinkable, but with a weak economy and unaffordable gold prices, many parents sacrifice gold for their daughters' happiness."

The expense of shabka -- which always includes a gold ring -- must be borne by the groom, who presents it to his bride-to- be to a chorus of "oohs" and "aahs" from family and friends.

In Egypt, prices for shabka depend on families' financial means. A bride's family may request a shabka from just $600 -- for a wedding band and two bangles -- to $8,000 or more for an entire set of gold jewellery and a diamond ring.

But many in Egypt's lower-income brackets say if men were unable to hire the shabka for about $40 for their wedding night, marriage would be almost impossible.

Egyptians once considered it the skin of the gods, and lavished it on their ancient pharaohs as they passed to the afterlife.

But today, with its soaring price, gold is putting a strain on the age-old tradition of marriage as couples struggle to afford "shabka", a ritual gift of gold jewellery considered a vital part of weddings across the Arab world.

Beset by high unemployment, rising inflation, and monthly salaries that often fall below $50 a month, many poorer couples are renting the gold rings and bangles they need to wed.

"People cannot stop getting married, so renting jewellery is the best solution for your wallet and the bride's prestige," said Ayman Wahba, 27-year-old teacher.

"Before, the idea of getting married without shabka was almost unthinkable, but with a weak economy and unaffordable gold prices, many parents sacrifice gold for their daughters' happiness."

The expense of shabka -- which always includes a gold ring -- must be borne by the groom, who presents it to his bride-to- be to a chorus of "oohs" and "aahs" from family and friends.

In Egypt, prices for shabka depend on families' financial means. A bride's family may request a shabka from just $600 -- for a wedding band and two bangles -- to $8,000 or more for an entire set of gold jewellery and a diamond ring.

But many in Egypt's lower-income brackets say if men were unable to hire the shabka for about $40 for their wedding night, marriage would be almost impossible.

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